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Sixers Notes: Bulls coach praises 'balanced' 76ers

While 76ers coach Doug Collins has yet to see what he has in injured center Andrew Bynum, Chicago coach Tom Thibodeau knows exactly what he has - or had - in injured point guard Derrick Rose.

While 76ers coach Doug Collins has yet to see what he has in injured center Andrew Bynum, Chicago coach Tom Thibodeau knows exactly what he has - or had - in injured point guard Derrick Rose.

The 2011 NBA MVP, Rose has not played since he tore his anterior cruciate ligament against the Sixers in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference first-round series last April. Rose could return by the all-star break.

Thibodeau mostly chooses not to talk about playing without Rose. However, he has been keeping an eye on the Sixers minus Bynum, and so far he has been impressed with what he's seen.

"Philly has done very well," Thibodeau said. "They're a balanced team, they share the ball, they play hard defensively and they give themselves a chance to win every night, and that's all you can do. I think they get the most out of their ability every night."

Thibodeau did not elaborate much when asked about Rose's health.

"That's going to be a step-by-step process," he said. "He's doing fine. He's right on schedule. . . . At some point he'll rejoin us."

Wright not right

Going into Wednesday's 96-89 loss to the Bulls, Sixers forward Dorell Wright had gone 14 games without scoring in double figures since posting 14 against Milwaukee on Nov. 12.

During that stretch, Wright averaged just 4.4 points on 28.6 percent shooting. In his first seven games of the season, Wright averaged 12.9 points but still did not shoot very well (35 percent).

Collins, however, wants Wright to continue looking for his shot.

"I just don't want him to hesitate," Collins said, adding that Wright's shot has looked flat.

"What ends up happening now is you miss a few and you start pump-faking. When that starts happening you usually wind up taking off your shot and trying a more difficult one. I just want him to shoot the shots that we brought him in here to shoot."

Wright played only two minutes against the Bulls and did not score.